Today on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast I have a discussion on wood firing with Linda Christianson, Elisa Helland-Hansen, Jan McKeachie-Johnston, and Lindsay Oesteritter. We talk about how each artist came to wood firing, how they developed a personal aesthetic within the process, and how they critique their work after a firing.

Linda Christianson is based in Lindstrom, MN. www.christiansonpottery.com. Elisa Helland-Hansen is based in Seimsfoss, Norway. www.elisahh.no. Jan McKeachie Johnston lives in River Falls, WI. www.mckeachiejohnstonstudios.com. Lindsay Oesteritter is based in Manassas, VA. www.loceramics.com. This interview was recorded at Trax Gallery in Berkeley, CA. www.traxgallery.com.

This episode of the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler is sponsored by Potters For Pulse. This fundraising event supports the victims and families of those affected by the recent Pulse tragedy in Orlando Florida. Over 50 ceramic artists have donated work that will be available for purchase at Pottersforpulse.bigcartel.com. On June 24th at 8pm EST the sale will go live with all proceeds going to the Equality Florida's Pulse Victim Fund. Please consider making a purchase or make a donation to your local LGBTQ organization. For more information on the event please visit Pottersforpulse.bigcartel.com

Today on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast I have a discussion with the founding members of the Kansas City Urban Potters. The group of seven artists banded together in Kansas City, MO in 2014 with the purpose of expanding “visibility of contemporary studio pottery to local and regional audiences through invitational exhibitions, public lectures and community-based events.” The group includes Chandra Debuse, Jana Evans, Meredith Host, Alex Watson, Erica Iman, Rain Harris and Paul Donnelly. In the interview we talk about the history of KCUP, developing a consensus based decision-making model, and expanding from an annual pop-up shop to a brick and mortar gallery. For more information on KCUP please visit www.kcurbanpotters.com.

This episode of the podcast is sponsored by Sierra Nevada College. Come be inspired by the gorgeous, natural setting of Lake Tahoe, while studying with nationally known artists in a variety of art mediums. This summer continues a tradition of excellence in art education that has been going strong for 32 years. This year’s line up includes Adam Field, Ronan Kyle Peterson, John Toki, Nancy Servis, and many more. I’m also excited to announce that I will be teaching a hands on workshop on Perfect Pouring Pots July 23rd and 24th. To see SNC Tahoe’s full summer schedule please visit www.sierranevada.edu and search for summer workshops.

Today on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast I have a discussion with art dealer Jayson Lawfer. Trained as a potter, Jayson brings a maker’s touch to his role as gallery director of The Nevica Project. Under his direction the Chicago-based gallery focuses on primary and secondary market sales for fine art and craft, including the work of Michael Lucero, Richard Serra, Shoji Hamada, and many more. In the interview we talk about his transition into the gallery world, how to value an object on the secondary market, and balancing a gallery portfolio that includes both fine and contemporary craft artists. For more information on Jayson please visit www.thenevicaproject.com.

This episode of Tales of the Red Clay Rambler is sponsored by FLM Studio in Petaluma, CA. This multipurpose studio offers workshops for Bay Area ceramic artists while also serving as the studio for Forrest Lesch Middelton. On June 4th and 5th I will be teaching a two day hands-on workshop titled from Flat to Functional. Join me for this exciting weekend to learn more about using foam molds to create hand built tableware. To register for this event visit www.flmceramics.com.